NURSE PRACTITIONER III -NEUROLOGY

Nurse Practitioner

Evaluates, examines, diagnoses, and treats patients in collaboration with their supervising and or substitute supervising physician according to established guidelines and protocols. Maintains and promotes the well-being of the patient through preventative healthcare and guidance. Provides care primarily in the office setting. May include weekends and shift work.

Core Essential Functions:

• Regular, consistent, on-site, and timely attendance.
• Manages the physical and psychological problems of the patient.
• Identifies normal and abnormal findings.
• Implements an individualized plan of treatment, reassess and revises plan as needed.
• Evaluates physical and emotional responses to medications and treatments.
• Seeks appropriate consultation.
• Communicates effectively with the physician and other healthcare providers to achieve desired outcomes and assure a continuous flow of patient care.
• Initiates and maintains the Problem/Medication list at each encounter.
• Comply with completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of documentation at each encounter.
• Assesses the patient and facilitates consultation when indicated.
• Directs patients to appropriate level of care and communicates all pertinent information.
• Assists in identifying and utilizing resources and/or social agencies for further treatment or rehabilitation.
• Demonstrates Leadership by utilizing the concepts inherent to the practice of the professional nurse.
• Demonstrates an ability to solve problems independently utilizing critical thinking skills and seeks assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate.
• Delegates patient care appropriately.
• Maintains accountability for actions taken.
• Effectively functions as a resource person.
• Acts as a patient advocate.
• Performs effectively in the role of preceptor/mentor to new hires and /or students.
• Assists in maintaining / decreasing organizational/department costs.
• Completes all competency requirements annually.
• Provides patient safety in compliance with hospital and physician practices policies.
• Adheres to infection control processes, including standard precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections.
• Utilizes two forms of patient identification before implementing any form of patient care.
• Practices all National Patient Safety Goals.
• Uses LEAN principles.
• Assists in the department's compliance with all regulatory agencies.
• Participate in continuous survey readiness for inspections and surveys.
• Participates in the non-punitive medication reporting system.
• Ensures accountability for narcotics per regulatory/organizational policies.
• Participates in office fire, safety, utility, hazard, and disaster drills as required.

Specialty Essential Functions:

• Perform clinical responsibilities in a manner that maximizes patient care and outcomes.
• Assume appropriate code team role during emergency situations and respond effectively.
• Facilitate timely treatment of abnormal labs or other relevant findings.
• Develop workflow patterns to facilitate patient transfers or discharges.
• Participate in outcome management and Press Ganey scores.
• In collaboration with the physician, interview, evaluate and assess patients in the clinic setting.
• Evaluate patient's current status providing recommendations for ongoing treatment. Assesses for alternate levels of care as necessary.
• Adjust medication as indicated.
• Provide patient/family education regarding medication, rationale for use and possible side effects.
• Collaborate with the supervising physician and or substitute supervising physician and members of the treatment team to achieve desired outcomes and to assure continuous flow of patient care.
• Alert the treatment team to any significant changes in the patient's status.
• Within prescribed time frames, review treatment goals and objectives with patients making modifications as appropriate.
• Communicate pertinent information timely and efficiently to the supervising physician.
• Document in the medical record, record patient's current mental status, document all screenings and assessments performed, record medication changes, prescriptions written and samples provided, document patient's complaints, concerns and questions as appropriate, document any/all telephone contact with patients, families, pharmacists or physicians, record beginning and end times of each session, and sign and date all documentation.
• Demonstrate leadership by utilizing the concepts inherent to the practice of a professional physician assistant.
• Demonstrate an ability to solve problems independently utilizing critical thinking skills and seek assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate.
• Perform effectively in the role of preceptor/mentor to new hire/students.
• Participate in Performance Improvement activities designed to enhance the quality of patient care, customer service, or practice efficiencies.
• Identify initiatives to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.
• Assist in chart review/audits as needed for performance improvement data collection.
• Support initiatives implemented to improve patient outcomes and or efficiencies.
• Provide patient safety in compliance with hospital and or physician practice policies.
• Adhere to infection control processes, including standard precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections.
• Utilize two forms of patient identification before implementing any form of patient care.

Performs other duties as assigned

Required Skills and Knowledge: Minimum level of education, skills and abilities necessary in performing the job.

Education:

• Graduate of accredited Nursing & Nurse Practitioner Program. Master's degree in nursing.

Certification / Licensure / Regulation:

• Current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Pennsylvania
• Current Certification as CRNP. Current Certification for Prescriptive Authority with DEA license.
• PA Act 153 Clearances (Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system, Act 33-PA Child Abuse History obtained through the Department of Public Welfare, Act 73-FBI Fingerprint screening within 2 weeks of hire in order to meet 30 days of hire or transfer position requirement).
• BLS Certification

Preferred Qualifications:

• One (1) or more years of neurology experience
• Prior training/experience within previous 2-3 years in trigger point injections and Botox injections

The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities, as an employee may be assigned other duties other than described in this document.

Essential Working Conditions:

Constantly = (5 1/2 to 8 hours or more) or 200 reps/shift - Occasionally = (1/4 to 2 1/2 hours) or 2 - 32 reps/shift

Frequently = (2 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours or more) or 32 - 200 reps/shift - Rarely = (Less than 1/4 hours) or < 2 reps/shift

Sedentary Work - - Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.

Light Work - - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly.

Medium Work - - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.

Heavy Work - - Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly.

Very Heavy Work - - Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds or force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Working Conditions:

Never:

• Extreme Cold
• Extreme Heat
• Heights
• Confined Spaces-Cramped Quarters (Labeled)
• Extreme Noise (> 85 dB)

Independence Health System